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Most Helpful Reviews

Praise31 found this helpful

kapoleihome

Feb 17 , 2009

WORKS AS ADVERTISED

This unit installed easily and works as advertised in the ductless configuration. I'm a little put out that I had to go out and buy an additional $35 worth of filters and light bulbs to complete the installation, but I knew that going in.
I replaced a 19 year-old super-cheapie Broan hood that was built into the house. This Kenmore unit fit precisely into the same space. The mounting screws were in the same place, the electrical line was in the same place, and the space for mounting it was exactly the same. There was no cutting at all, and I never used a hammer.
It seems one factory in Mexico must be making 99% of the under-cabinet range hoods sold in America. Whether you buy Kenmore, Nu-Tone, Broan, Jenn-Air, Whirlpool or whatever, there seem to be two body styles and three internal configurations for about 220, 300 or 400 cfm, and differerent controls. Add in different colors and finishes, and you get the several hundred different permutations that are available. This hood is the same as the Broan / NuTone Allure 2, which is the nicer body style with the middle level of fan power, quieting and controls. I suppose range hood technology reached its ultimate level in the '50s, and since then there have only been variations in style, power and controls.
The outside of the box told me what additional bulbs and filters I would need for the ductless configuration. Since these hoods are so standardized, I was able to buy those at Home Depot. The two light bulbs were about $7 each, and Home Depot sells the ductless charcoal filter kit for about $21. Take the model number with you when you go to the store.
Expect to spend 30 minutes preparing the hood for installation. It's simple; the directions walk you through it, but you do have to partially disassemble it.
Make sure you have a towel or a piece of cardboard laying over your cook top. You will need to rest the hood on your cook top, and you don't want to scratch up your brand new hood before you even install it.
The mounting screws of the old and new unit were in the same place. I just loosened the old ones a little, slid the old unit forward until the "keyholes" were free of the mounting screws, and slipped the new unit in on the same screws.
An earlier reviewer complained about a lack of a plug. Who plugs a range hood in? They are always hard-wired into the house. The wires into the old unit went right into the new unit; I even used the same wire nuts.
So there are basically seven easy steps for a ductless installation:
(1) Buy the bulbs and charcoal filters you will need.
(2) Prepare the new hood according to the directions.
(3) Turn the old hood on. Turn off power to it at the breaker box, which will turn it off. When the old hood goes off, you can be sure you found the right breaker and power is off.
(4) Take the old unit out by disconnecting the wiring, loosening four mounting screws and sliding it out.
(5) Mount the new unit on the same screws, tighten them, and then reconnect the wires.
(6) Put in the filters and bulbs. The charcoal filters you bought have directions on how they are installed.
(7) Turn power on at the breaker box and test.
I would allow about two hours for the installation, if you are a common home owner like me. You will need a slot-head screwdriver, a phillips-head screw driver with a long shaft to tighten the mounting screws, and needle-nose pliers to wrap the ground line around the ground screw. No power tools.
The unit is way more effective at pulling air up than the cheapo it replaced. It looks a whole lot better too. Wifey loves it; that's what counts.
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Criticism4 found this helpful

sandfun

Feb 24 , 2008

Be Prepared

The Kenmore Elite Hoodfan is a great unit. Be prepared to take it a part to install it. There is nothing easy about the installation. I installed the duct version and the cut outs were very difficult to remove, The light panel is hard to reinstall and the unit is heavy so holding it up to mount it took 2 people. Sears had no installation manual with the unit, but the on line manual you can get was easy. Consider a contractor or Sears installation people to do the work if your unsure,

I am pleased with the purchase of my range hood. You don't realize how much you depend on them until you don't have one. The only problem we had with the range hood is that it didn't come with light bulbs. That really bothered me as the bulbs are a big part of the range hood. Then I had to order the bulbs and wait to complete the hood. I would recommend this hood to friends but I would warn them that they don't with light bulbs.

I just replaced a basic Kenmore range hood that was 14 years old with this new hood and wow what a difference. This range hood not only looks beautiful but it has great power. I love the bright lights and the 3 different light and fan speed levels. It is a bit noisy on high but it does a great job. It was also easy to install with help. I think you'll love it.

I purchased the range hood March 5, 2009, on October 31, 2012 it stop functioning. the service person stated the product has a mother board and heat stops it from functioning--how crazy is that. I reported this to Sears, they would only refund 30% . I will not recommend this product.

Good looking stainless steel range hood with easy to use touch switches for the 3-speed fan and 3-brightness level lights. The 2nd and 3rd fan speeds are a little on the noisy side. Like many folks, when everything is off, I experienced a humming noise caused by the small transformer that was irritating. I placed an additional screw in the middle of the hood that stopped the upper surface from vibrating. Since this is a recurring problem, it should be part of the installation instructions. One should not have to go on-line to find a solution.

We recently purchased a new Kenmore Elite Range, and purchased the Kenmore Elite Hood to complement it. The installation was easy, but I found that (2) people made the installation even easier. The wiring and mounting holes matched up with the previous hood, so it was a matter of removing the old hood and installing the new hood. Much improved over the old hood! (in terms of looks, filters, lighting, fan).